aspergillosis
Last reviewed 01/2018
Aspergillosis is a fungal condition, caused by Aspergillus fumigatus.
Illness occurs in cases of allergic reaction, immune suppression, or in previously damaged lung.
Principally three clinical syndromes are seen:
- an aspergilloma
- allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
- invasive aspergillosis
Aspergillus species are also associated with causing:
- asthma
- otomycosis
- extrinsic allergic alveolitis
- cerebral infarctions or brain abscesses, endocarditis, and problems in the ears and sinuses.
Most disease is due to Aspergillus fumigatus but there are many other members of the genus - e.g. A. clavatus, A. flavus, A. niger - which may result in these conditions.